In a letter dated September 23, 2014, 29 members of the House of Representatives led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Edward Royce (R-CA) called up Secretary of State John Kerry to start the process of conducting a 2014 Taiwan Policy Review. The members write: “[W]e feel strongly that there is a need today to undertake a new and thorough Taiwan Policy Review, laying the basis for further expanding relations with Taiwan and thereby enhancing continued peace and stability in the region.”

The letter continues: “In 1979, when we shifted diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing, Taiwan was ruled by a government claiming to represent China. When the United States conducted its last Taiwan Policy Review in 1994, Taiwan was just starting to emerge as a full democracy. […] Over these past two decades, the people of Taiwan have consolidated their democracy, and established a vibrant and pluralistic democracy in their country…”

It concludes: “We thank you for your leadership and look forward to working with you on this important and timely project which will enhance our relationship with an important democratic ally.”

FAPA President Mark Kao, PhD states: “With the geopolitical shifts that have taken place in the Pacific during the past years, and with the 2013 U.S. rebalancing commitment to Asia, a second Taiwan Policy Review is overdue. Such a review should include a U.S. commitment: – to the principle that the future of Taiwan should be determined peacefully and by the people of Taiwan, – to U.S. support for Taiwan’s membership in all international organizations, – to the lifting of all restrictions on high-level visits from and to Taiwan, and to the sale of advanced weapons to Taiwan.”